Team building activities in Dubai

Time Out profiles four alternative team building activities in Dubai, including The Amazing Race, Via Ferrata and more

By
Luke Wilson
15 December 2016

When you hear the phrase “team-building exercise” you’d be forgiven for thinking of a David Brent-style character from The Office leading you through a series of excruciatingly awful role plays. But it doesn’t have to be a farce. We bring you four fun ways to enjoy some congeniality with your colleagues…

Beach OlympicsSports fans were glued to their TVs this summer as the dramatic events unfolded in Rio. But now, you can live out your Olympic dreams with corporate team building company DragonFire’s wacky, beach-based version of the Games. Along with old-school staples such as a tug-of-war and sack race, how does water balloon volleyball and a “magic towel relay” sound? Wonderfully daft, we say…From Dhs165 per person (two hours, group of 16 minimum). Various locations including Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, JBR, www.dragonfiredubai.com (052 699 4788).

Build and race an F1 carThe F1 season might be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate what it feels like to win the constructors’ championships. Team-building firm Turnaround will task groups with designing and building a racing car from scratch – drawing up a blueprint, creating a prototype, testing it using rocket power before building the car and racing it against your rivals. Okay, so the materials used aren’t as high spec as those you’d find in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes, but with the right driver, they can certainly go some…Prices on request. Various venues including The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, www.turnaround.ae (04 375 4234).

The Amazing RaceTravel, tour and adventure operator The Desert Rangers’ version of the popular American TV show has teams traversing Dubai (and the rest of the UAE) from landmark to landmark using their navigational nous. Points are awarded for clocking up the least mileage, answering questions, solving riddles and completing challenges. For British children of the ’80s, it’s a bit like Treasure Hunt but you’re not cooped up in a library and you don’t have Anneka Rice doing the legwork for you.Prices on request. Locations across Dubai, www.desertrangers.com (050 703 5111).

Via FerrataA new addition to the UAE’s extreme scene, this challenging Jebel Jais climb is the first of its kind in the Middle East. Guided by the team at tour operator Absolute Adventure, you’ll traverse more than 1km on three zip lines attached to the nation’s highest mountain. Certainly not for the faint-hearted, you’ll need all your guile and teamwork to reach the summit at 120m. Don’t look down.Dhs400 per person (four hours group of seven maximum). Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, www.jebeljais.ae/via-ferrata (04 345 9900).